Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
RETROSPECTIVE.
The constitu,ion-Malers and Their Ia

The Constitution Makers and Their Task.
:, As Independence Hall wos the birthplace OF
the liberties OF the colonies, also was it the
birth-chalnber of the nationality of the CON
federated States. For it was here, in the sum-
mer OF 1877, that the convention met t. devise
q better form OF government than the confed-
holding together the conflicting interests OF
the different sections The convention met in
May. with delegates representing all the States
except New Hampshire and Rhode Island
george Washington, one of the delegates rep.
resenting Virginia, was chosen President
1t was wonderful body of men. chosen to
grapple with questions which had never been
solved indeed never before been confronted
by statesmen Happily they were the intel.
lectual aristocracy of the democratic colonies
with character and mental qualities suited to
their task Among them were Hamilton by
right the father OF the Constitution a mau Pre-.
temlnently a statesman, broad minded phi.
losophor, and practical, high-minded gentle
man. Franklin, than wlibm mono wns more
experienced in the affairs OF state, Washing.
ton. ton Madison. Gourerneur Morris. Rufus King
Robert Morris, Pinckney ana Randolph.
Active work was begun by tho convention on
May 2i, butlttle progress was mado for some
time The convention was from the start
peiploxed by doubts. Says n historian of the
Constitution:
The trainers of the Constitution assembled
for their work amidst difficulties and embnr-
easements OF an extraordinary nature. No gen.
eral concert of opinion had taken place as to
what was possible to be done. Whether it were
even legal TO hold it. and whethor IL held 1t
would be likely to result in ANYTHING useful to
the country, We're points upon which the most
opposite opinions prevailed in every State Of
tho Union"
The convention had no precedents TO guido
its action; the diversity of opinions and utter.
ests of the colonies represented by the dele
gates made 1T seem probable that no agree.
ment could be reached, and at last a final
adjournment WAS proposed. DIR Franklin, thcn
in his s2d year, arose, and, addressing tho
President, said: How has it happened
SIR, that while cropping so long In the
dark divided in our opinions, and now
ready to separate without accomplish
ing the great objects OF our meeting, we
have hitherto not once thought OF APPLYING to
the Father OF Light to illuminate our under
STANDINGS? In tho beginning OF the contest with
Great Britain, when we We're sensible of dan
ger, we had daily prayers in this room for di-
vine protection. Our prayers. sir, were heard
and graciously answered.
The venerable philosopher then moved that
the daily sessions of the convention be opened
with prayer, but his motion does not appear to
have prevailed. A final adjournment was not
taken, however. and the convention pursued its
work. In September all tho provisions OF the
proposed constitution were referred to a com.
mttee for revision. This work was completed
on Sept. l2 and then ratified by the convention.
Copies were sont to the several States for ratifi
cation, and in tha spring OF 1889 the new ropub-
lie was IN accomplished fact.